skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Yesterday was the latest "day of discovery" lifestyle portrait training days that I run at the Pontlands park hotel.
I started these courses because I always find it's easier to show someone what to do than to try and tell them.
I always have great fun teaching these courses and meet some great people. It's surprising the energy a group of photographers can create as the creativeness starts to take over and confidence grows.
Big thanks goes out to everyone who came along and I look forward to seeing your images. Also thanks to our great models.
We were really lucky with the weather but I guess as it's the start of the British summer that's how it's going to be from now on ..yeah right.
Andrea Simmons who came along yesterday kindly sent this image of me teaching yesterday. Although I think she caught me mid sentence or perhaps I was chewing a mint.
I'm pretty confident everyone left with a lot more confidence with new found skills and abilities. Also I have a whole new bunch of new friends.
Just a quick line to say thank you to all the members of the Baddow Camera Club for asking me along to speak. I hope you all enjoyed the talk and perhaps found a new approach to taking some images.
If anyone is looking for a friendly camera club in the local area I would certainly recommend they give this club a look.
I hope you all had as much fun as I did.
So yesterday was my birthday and I'm now officially another year older. Is it just a male thing that the mental age stays at around 19? I really believe there's not a guy out there who doesn't believe he could fly a helicopter, run a marathon and serve with the SAS if he wanted too, just life took them in a different direction. Of course we're wrong but we like to believe we could (helps us sleep at night).
January is traditionally a slow time for most businesses and the photography trade is not exempt. Having said that over the last few days the enquiries seem to be coming in again so it looks like there may be food on the table in the near future. In truth the early part of the year is when a lot of people find their wedding photographers and that trend would seem to be holding true.
I've finally managed to find a date for my next two day "shoot to sell course" which will be the 21st and 22nd April. For anyone that's interested its a two day marketing and sales course designed around the photography business. It includes the methods to identify, find and capture clients and then practical advise on selling and sales techniques. It has proved very popular in the past and i don't know of any other courses specifically written for photographers. You can read what previous attendees have said here or here . This course has the added benefit in that I have teamed up with and excellant image display company who will be helping us over the two days by showing exactly what they can do with our images (in display terms).
Also don't forget I'm running a one day lifestyle photography day on the 30th March. This is a whole day spent where i show some of my methods which help me to get natural photographs. A wide range of people regularly attend these days from amateurs who have recently bought a new camera through to professionals looking to have a change in direction. Just drop me an e-mail to martin@martinwilmottphotography.com if you think either course may be of interest and I'll send you the info.
Oh and i nearly forgot I'm booked to give a talk for the Baddow Camera Club on the 26th Feb so if you're in the area why not come and say hi. Full details can be found here, or just go to www.baddowcameraclub.com. The talk is free but you should let the club know you wish to attend.
I really hope we can meet up some time in the near future ....... that's if I'm not busy flying helicopters, running marathons or training with the SAS.
Uncle Bob is an occupational hazard for any wedding photographer. Let me explain, at every wedding there will undoubtedly be someone (normally an uncle, hence the nick name) who has a keen interest in photography and has all the gear his local camera shop can sell him. They are often referred to as "all the gear with no idea".
Normally I have no problem working with uncle Bob's and often have a chat in quiet times and talk photography. However occasionally there's one that gets in the way and physically stops me from doing my job.
I recently had one of these at a wedding. The venue was a top west end hotel in London and the main ball room has mirrors all over including behind the top table. Mirrors make taking photographs harder for several reasons i.e. flash has to be bounced rather than direct, you have to shoot at an angle so you're not in the shots etc.
It was during the speeches that uncle Bob continually stood in the centre of the table firing his flash straight into the mirror (he couldn't have got a single shot) and being in every photograph. Every time I would set up a shot and take a step backwards he would be under my feet ..... a complete nightmare!
I have no problem with people taking photographs but please, have some respect and stay out of the way.
On another note the next Lifestyle portrait training day has been booked for the 30th March 2008 at the Pontlands park Hotel near Chelmsford. Drop me an e-mail if you feel like coming along (it would make a better Christmas present than socks).
I was recently approached by the Baddow camera club to give a talk on my work and lifestyle photography in general.
The talk will take place on the 26th February 2008 starting at 19.45 and It's completely free (although tea ect will be for sale). You don't have to be a member of the club to come along. The location is the BAE Telford Systems theatre, on West Hanningfield Road in Great Baddow near Chelmsford.
I'll be showing some of my images and sharing a few secrets of how they are achieved, in my normal witty way. There will also be a time at the end where I'll be happy to field any questions people may have.
For more details check out the Baddow camera club website and drop them a line if you intend coming along.
It will be great to see you there!
I got a pleasant reminder last weekend of the importance of being ready to get grab shots at all times. We'd just finished shooting some formal stuff at a christening and where walking out of the park when the shot here presented itself.
These are the shots you can't create and just have to be ready for when they present themselves. The trick is never turn the camera off and the lens cap only goes back on when the camera goes away. If I'm honest I prefer these shots to the more formal type of shot that the majority of people want.
Here's another example of the same baby but captured a little more formally. I always try and get a bit of both and that way it's the best of both worlds.
On another note skype seemed to have dropped the ball over the last two days. For anyone not in the know skype is the free online phone company owned by E-bay. They normally provide an excellent and very cheap (and in many cases free) phone service anywhere in the world. Their problems are something to do with a software problem, but for a major provider like this to go down for two days that's major. We'll see what happens over the next couple of days.
Regardless of the current problems I'd advise anyone who has a broadband connection to get skype. Especially if you regularly phone people on the other side of the world.
Its not often that I'm at the other side of a lens so its nice when someone manages to grab a shot of me at work.
This one here was taken by Sally Schrieber who attended the last "Day of discovery" training day that I ran.
Sally very kindly sent me this link to a photography forum where she commented on my training day and put up one of the pictures she got. Great job Sally.
Also another photographer, Mel Corley who also attended one of my previous training days has just recently come second in a photography competition with an image captured on the training day. Well done guys you should both be very proud!
Places are going quick for the next "Shoot to sell course". It's on the 8th and 9th of October and is two days designed to help photographers gain a boost or launch their photography careers concentrating on marketing and sales. The guys who attended the last course were blown away but you can read what they thought here. Drop me an e-mail if you think you might be interested, it could be the best thing you ever do!
I've been bonkers busy over the last week so I'm afraid the blog has been a little quiet. Here's some of the things i've been up to.
A while back I agreed to an interview with an online forum. Some of the questions that came forward really got the grey matter ticking over whilst others were more simple. You can read the interview here and at the same time why not join the forum?
Last weekend I travelled down to Sussex and watched (shot) the American football match between the Colchester Gladiators and the Sussex thunder (slideshow to follow). As this is the part of the world where Emma Duggan lives I dropped in and we spent some time talking all things photography.
We swapped lenses and ideas and set about shooting each other (and Emma's dog Freddie). During this time Emma got this great shot off me (not the easiest of subjects).
The "Day of adventure" photography training day has now started to fill up and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone. It seems like we've got a great cross section of people coming from complete amateurs to all out professionals. I really love these days as there's nothing better than spending time with creative people.
I consider myself really lucky to have some fantastic friends who are involved with photography. One of my greatest mates is Emma Duggan. Emma kindly came and showed some of her stuff to the guys on the "shoot to sell course" at the start of this week. Here's a pic of me and Emma kindly taken by Ken Beck.
As well as being a fantastic photographer (getting far too good) she is one of the friendliest people I know. Never being afraid to talk to anyone and offer help if needed.
I spoke to everyone after the two days and they all said one of the highlights was meeting Emma and sharing some time with her. Check out Emmas Duggans' blog here, you won't be disappointed.
Here's another shot (taken by Emma) showing me with the guys on a break during the day. I had a fantastic time with all of you. I guess you are all far too busy putting in the action plan and creating a fantastic business to be reading this blog.
It was great to receive your e-mails and I too would like to thank you all for your belief in me and taking the chance to come and see how I do things. I think I will definitely be running this course again (in about six months), I'm guessing you'll all be very well established by then and will have doubled your turnover from last year!
One question how can being away for two days create a weeks worth of work? Did all my clients wait until I was away before they sent their orders through? Or is it that when you deal with things as they arrive it seems to take less time.
It's been three days since the "day of discovery" Lifestyle photography course I ran. It was fantastic meeting you all and I must say thank you for the images you have all been sending. It's always a pleasure to recieve e-mails from peole afterwards as thats the real time I find out how the course really went. Here's just a few comments taken from some of the guys who have already written:
Martin,
hi, it was truly great to meet you at last yesterday, and I must say that you and Doug were superb teachers and nothing was too small, even the silly questions were answered without a fuss, which believe you me helped immensely. As to the course content this too was great and as i said on my departure I went away with a headache as a result of learning so much. Also may I point out that I have been on numerous courses via the SWPP and the NIKON courses, and i must point out that your course was with out doubt the best one that I have attended for a long time, the course content was informative, interesting and
presented in a professional manner, and I can truly say that I will remember every little tip for years to come.
Hello Martin,
Thankyou for a lovely day. The whole experience has exceeded my expectations on every count. I have learnt a great deal of new techniques, but the best of all was to see you and Doug in action and to learn how the pros do it.
All in all, a great day that was made even better with the friendliness of all other attendees.
WOW! I'm SO happy you had such a great time. The weather made it harder but it shows what can be done and lets face it, if you want to take photographs on a regular basis it will at some time rain. As the image of Charlie and I shows (thanks for sending it John) I had a real fun time meeting you all too.
On another note last night I was working late and sent an e-mail out to inform people of the two day "shoot to sell" course coming up next month. Its like the next step and is aimed at people wanting to either start a photography business or to help people who are already in business but aren't reaching their full potential. I new it would be popular but i had a reply come back at 4.30 am. Now thats someone who's not afraid to make a decision!
Yesterday (4th March) we ran another lifestyle portrait training day for the budding enthusiasts wanting to learn and improve on their techniques. The weather was really against us and it didn't stop raining throughout the whole day.
Having said that we had a Fantastic day! As a group we managed to achieve the aim of educating and most importantly having fun!! I'll add some more pictures over the next few days and some of the images captured by the excellant students.
Believe me there are people who were on this course yeaterday who will no doubt be making a neam for themselves in the coming months / years. More to come ............
I'm completely snowed under at the moment but had to add this slide show from last week.
I think the images came out really well and I'm sure everyone enjoyed the shoot too.
For anyone interested in the Lifestyle portrait training day on the 4th March there are just two places left until we close the books.
Looking forward to meeting you.
It always gets me excited when I chat on the phone to the people coming on the next lifestyle photography course.
I can feel the energy and enthusiasm of the people and I just know we're all going to have a great time. The next course (4th March) is already proving to be great, and theres some cool tricks we're going to share.
There are very few places left so if you want any information on this course just drop me an e-mail (martin@martinwilmottphotography.com) or even better pick up the phone 01376 567995. Here's a quick slide show of the last course we ran.
One of the things I have noticed about people who contact me is, aswell as wanting to learn my methods in photography there are a hard core of people who need to learn more. These are the gys who have a talent for taking pictures but need help in how to make it pay. With this in mind the " shoot to sell" course has been devised. The dates will be the 23-24 April 2007. The course is designed to take a person who can take a photograph and give them a structure into launching that skill into a succesfull business! It will cost £495.00 and will include meals but not accomodation.
For those of you who've already registered your interest watch your email box very closely the details will be arriving shortly.
If you wanted to be added to the hot list to get the information about the "Shoot to sell course" just drop me an e mail to martin@martinwilmottphotography.com. I truely believe these two days will kick start peoples careers into the photography world. What are you waiting for? An e-mail costs you nothing but could earn you a life!!
Finally here's the link to a few of the images from the portrait session I mentioned from last week enjoy.
Just a really quick note as I've already received a few e mails from people who couldn't make the last training day. So for those people (and anyone who wants to come back again) the next "Day of Discovery" where you can learn the tricks of great lifestyle portraits will be on the 4th March 2007.
There are also some other plans in the pipeline that those of you who came last weekend will know a little about so keep your eyes peeled to this blog. As soon as possible an anouncement will be made but pencil the 23rd and 24th April into your diaries and keep that date clear.
Be aware this could just about change your life forever!
I have received some really great e-mails over the last few daysand i thought I'd share a few of them. This is a snippet of one sent by Karen Petry who attended the Lifestyle Portrait Training Day at the weekend. Karens a real star in the making she had travelled down to be with us in Essex from Carlisle (our second furthest travelled attendant Keith Bott flew over from Germany). Any way here's what she had to say ....Apologies for the delay in sending you email. I would just like to thank Doug, Toni, Viv and yourself for the truly fantastic day on Sunday.It was a real pleasure to meet you all and i thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the day. It was 2.30 am when I eventually walked through my front door on Monday!! I had to stop off on route and sleep for 3 hours in a service station car park!! (it was well worth it though!!)"Here's a comment from Anthony Phillips who also has a great look on life and will no doubt succeed ......Hi Martin
Just a quick line about Sunday. Really enjoyed the day, I have already started to put your methods into action. I now have the confidence to photograph families and children, to a high standard. Thanx very much.Don't leave it to long for your next training day"Davide Palisciano sent me a dvd of images he had taken on the day which were completely outstanding, here's some of his comments ...." First of all can i thank you for an enjoyable and educational day. It's hard to quantify how much one has learnt, however if all i gained was more confidence in my own ability thats priceless.
I took around 300 shots! That says it all. I have narrowed them down to about 40 I like, that is subjective. I will send you a copy in the post.As a relative newcomer to photography other than family, I thouroughly enjoyed it. Please pass on my thanks to Doug and toni. Dougs enthusiasm is infectious and you can see the passion that drives him.I would again like to thank you for your patience and obvious understanding that there are a lot of people about who just need to be nudged into the right direction and off they go.If there is a follow up course keep us informed.
Adrian Smith is already running a succesfull photography business and came to our portrait training day looking for a differant approach, here's what he had to say .....Hi MartinJust a quick note to say thank you for a great day yesterday.I have been through my images and i am delighted with lots of them - also learnt an enourmous amount from the failed images about me and my cameras capabilities. Need a faster lens too much camera shake on some images!I have no doubt that yesterdays course will help me raise my business to the next level.Please pass on my thanks top Doug, Toni, Viv and of course the brave families that modelled for us"Catherine Thomson wroteThank youI had a great time, i think you made a great job of engaging a very diverse audience with the obvious enthusiasm and undoubted skill you are both abundant in.I was impressed with that last presentation of images, it so splendidly sealed the day and the music was a great touch.Thanks once againCatherine.
Just a quick note to mention some of the excellant images the people from the photography training course that Doug and I ran this weekend have started sending. The couple i've put on here were taken by Catherine Thompson. Great job Catherine you should be extremely proud of the results you have achieved here.
It was a real pleasure meeting with everyone on the course and I know it's not the last time alot of us will meet. I truely expect to be reading about some of you in various magazines in the near future.
After the course finished Myself Doug Toni and Viv discussed when we could do it again and decided the next one day course will be in March so keep your eyes peeled. 
Also another thing we discussed was a longer more in depth course over two days ..... we are in the very early planning stages for this but keep your eyes peeled as we will be announcing dates very soon.
As soon as the pieces are in place i'll anounce it on here and my portrait website also everyone who has signed up for my free photography tips via e mail from my lifestyle photography web site will also be informed as soon as we are ready to make the announcement. You can sign up for the free tips about lifestyle photography by going to the tips section and adding your email adress. if you have a problem signing up drop me an email to martin@martinwilmottphotography.com and i'll add you manually.
Lifestyle Photographer Lifestyle Photography Professional Photographer Photography Training
Yesterday was a FANTASTIC day. It was great fun meeting with everyone who came along for an insight into the way Doug and I work.
I know from the e mails I have already received you all had a great day too. I've added a couple of images and will add some more as I organise them and when the people who attended the course send them in including a slideshow.
Check out the top image of Doug getting attacked by one of our fantastic younger models ... can there be any doubt that the tricks we discussed and practised yesterday work?
It was a truely great day yesterday and I would like to thank you all for coming and sharing your time with us and also a big thankyou to our fantastic models throughout the day who were all incredible!! I can't wait to see some of the images you guys send.
Lifestyle Photographer Lifestyle Photography Professional Photographer Photography Training
The last week has been a planning week getting ready for the lifestyle portrait training day i'm due to host on the 8th October in Chelmsford. Already the numbers are filling up and I can hardly wait to meet up with and share some ideas and methods in order to help others get great images.
There's so much to organise but thats part of what makes it so much fun. Seeing the day slowly coming together speaking to the attendees on the phone. I find it incredibly encouraging (and a real compliment) when I realise how far some people are willing to travel to come on these days, spending many hours on the road and this time we even have someone flying in from Germany (hi Keith looking forward to meeting you in the flesh).
I so look forward to these days, it such a pleasure to meet up with you all and chat during the coffee breaks as well as answer all the questions you have (when i can). If you're at all interested in attending you can find the detailsd on my site under the tips section, look for photography training. Just drop me an email or ring if you prefer and i'll let you know what the day involves. I'd love to meet you and hopefully show you some of the tricks to getting the natural style of images that I love.
If you wanted an idea of the style of images we will be capturing check out this slideshow that gives a little more information about the day (make sure your speakers are on it has sound).
Speak to you soon.
lifestyle photographer lifestyle photography family photographs professional photographer Photography Training Portrait Photography Training
Yesterday was the latest "day of discovery" lifestyle portrait training days that I run at the Pontlands park hotel.
Big thanks goes out to everyone who came along and I look forward to seeing your images. Also thanks to our great models.
Posts
